2014 Berthaut-Gerbet Echezeauz Grand Cru

(one new barrel; from Les Treux): Good dark ruby-red; Berthaut told me she finds this wine difficult to taste from new oak): Pungent floral lift to the aromas of black cherry and dark raspberry. Penetrating and intensely, conveying a lovely sugar/acid balance to the flavors of dark berries, minerals and spices. Berthaut got what she called a decent yield here in 2014, from a blend of big grapes and very small berries. Some of these vines are 80 years old and there's a lot of replanting every year. Finishes firmly tannic, even a bit tough; this grand cru will require patience.